Independently translatable modules and fiber optic equipment trays in fiber optic equipment

ABSTRACT

Fiber optic equipment that supports independently translatable fiber optic modules and/or fiber optic equipment trays containing one or more fiber optic modules is disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more fiber optic modules are disposed in a plurality of independently translatable fiber optic equipment trays which are received in a tray guide system. In this manner, each fiber optic equipment tray is independently translatable within the guide system. One or more fiber optic modules may also be disposed in one or more module guides disposed in the fiber optic equipment trays to allow each fiber optic module to translate independently of other fiber optic modules in the same fiber optic equipment tray. In other embodiments, a plurality of fiber optic modules are disposed in a module guide system disposed in the fiber optic equipment that translate independently of other fiber optic modules disposed within the module guide system.

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/833,065, filed Mar. 27, 2020, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/547,660,filed Aug. 22, 2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,606,014, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/413,919,filed Jan. 24, 2017, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,416,405, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/901,074,filed May 23, 2013, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2013/0251326 A1 on Sep. 26, 2013 and subsequently abandoned, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/323,415,filed Nov. 25, 2008, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,452,148, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/197,068filed Oct. 23, 2008, and which also claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/190,538 filed Aug. 29, 2008, all of whichare incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/323,423, filed on Nov. 25, 2008, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,184,938,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/394,483, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,326,107, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/412,839, filed on Jan. 23, 2017, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,094,996, with the foregoing patent being incorporated by referenceherein.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/412,900, filed on Jan. 23, 2017, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,120,153, with the foregoing patent being incorporated by referenceherein.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/413,883, filed on Jan. 24, 2017, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,126,514, with the foregoing patent being incorporated by referenceherein.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/413,962, filed on Jan. 24, 2017, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,222,570, with the foregoing patent being incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The technology of the disclosure relates to fiber optic modules forfiber optic equipment. The fiber optic modules can be included in fiberoptic equipment rack and/or trays.

Technical Background

Benefits of optical fiber use include extremely wide bandwidth and lownoise operation. Because of these advantages, optical fiber isincreasingly being used for a variety of applications, including but notlimited to broadband voice, video, and data transmission. Fiber opticnetworks employing optical fiber are being developed and used to delivervoice, video, and data transmissions to subscribers over both privateand public networks. These fiber optic networks often include separatedconnection points at which it is necessary to link optical fibers inorder to provide “live fiber” from one connection point to anotherconnection point. In this regard, fiber optic equipment is located indata distribution centers or central offices to supportinterconnections.

The fiber optic equipment is customized based on the application need.The fiber optic equipment is typically included in housings that aremounted in equipment racks to maximize space. One example of such fiberoptic equipment is a fiber optic module. A fiber optic module isdesigned to provide cable-to-cable fiber optic connections and managethe polarity of fiber optic cable connections. The fiber optic module istypically mounted to a chassis which is then mounted inside an equipmentrack or housing. The chassis may be provided in the form of a tray thatis extendable from the equipment rack like a drawer. This allows atechnician access to fiber optic adapters disposed in the fiber opticmodule and any fiber optic cables connected to the fiber optic adapterswithout removing the fiber optic module from the equipment rack.

Due to increasing bandwidth needs and the need to provide highconnectivity density in data centers for increased revenue generatingopportunities, fiber optic networks are migrating to higher cable fibercounts. Multi-fiber cables are used to provide higher cable fiber countsand are used for trunk connections in a fiber optic network. In general,higher density connections make it more difficult to access opticalcomponents and connections. The same is true for fiber optic modulesbecause of the increased number of fiber optic adapters disposed in thefiber optic modules to handle the higher connectivity density. Increaseddensity makes hand access to optical components and connectors as wellas the routing and organizing jumper connections more difficult. Evenwith fiber optic equipment tray pull out capabilities, a need stillexists to improve access to optical components in a fiber opticequipment tray as well as provide neat routing and organization ofjumper connections.

SUMMARY OF THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include fiber opticequipment and apparatuses that support independently translatable fiberoptic modules and/or fiber optic equipment trays containing one or morefiber optic modules. In some embodiments, one or more fiber opticmodules are disposed in a plurality of independently translatable fiberoptic equipment trays. The fiber optic equipment trays are received in atray guide system disposed in the fiber optic equipment. In this manner,each fiber optic equipment tray is independently translatable within theguide system. The one or more fiber optic modules disposed in each fiberoptic equipment tray translate with their respective fiber opticequipment tray when translated.

One or more module guides may also be disposed in each of the fiberoptic equipment trays. The fiber optic modules can be disposed in one ormore module guides. The fiber optic modules translate within the moduleguides. In this manner, each fiber optic module disposed in a givenfiber optic equipment tray may translate independently of other fiberoptic modules in the same fiber optic equipment tray as well as eachfiber optic equipment tray being independently translatable to otherfiber optic equipment trays within the tray guide system.

In other embodiments, a plurality of fiber optic modules is disposed ina module guide system in the fiber optic equipment without need orrequirement for an intermediate fiber optic equipment tray. Each of thefiber optic modules translates independently of other fiber opticmodules disposed within the module guide system. One or more fiber opticequipment trays may also be provided. The fiber optic equipment traysmay contain a locking feature adjacent the front end of the fiber opticequipment that releasably retains one or more fiber optic modules whenmoved forward within the guide system towards the front end of the fiberoptic equipment. In this manner, a fiber optic equipment tray may bepulled to translate a fiber optic module forward from the fiber opticequipment.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe detailed description which follows, and in part will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognizedby practicing the invention as described herein, including the detaileddescription that follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description present embodiments of the invention,and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understandingthe nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. Theaccompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding ofthe invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of thisspecification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of theinvention, and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples and operation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic equipmentrack with exemplary fiber optic equipment supporting rear-installablefiber optic modules according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipmentsupporting the rear-installable fiber optic modules of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of fiber optic equipment tray guidesdisposed in the fiber optic equipment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an individual fiber opticequipment tray in the fiber optic equipment of FIG. 1 withoutrear-installable fiber optic modules installed in module guides disposedin the fiber optic equipment tray;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a fiber optic module that isrear-installable in the fiber optic equipment tray of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective close-up view of the rear-installable fiberoptic module of FIG. 4 installed in the fiber optic equipment tray ofFIG. 3 ;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment tray ofFIG. 3 with rear-installable fiber optic modules installed in the moduleguides;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective close-up view of the fiber optic equipmenttray of FIG. 3 with rear-installable fiber optic modules installed inthe module guides;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a fiber optic equipment trayextended from the fiber optic equipment;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a fiber routing guide tray of afiber optic equipment tray lowered to obtain front access to the fiberoptic modules supported in the fiber optic equipment tray;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of another exemplary fiber opticequipment supporting rear-installable fiber optic modules disposed inmodule guides;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipmentsupporting the rear-installable fiber optic modules of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of an individual fiber opticequipment tray in the fiber optic equipment of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the rear-installable fiber opticmodule installed in the module guides disposed in the fiber opticequipment of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective close-up view of the rear-installablefiber optic module disposed within module guides in the fiber opticequipment of FIG. 10 and locked into the fiber optic equipment tray ofFIG. 12 when the fiber optic module is pulled forward;

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic module in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16A is a perspective close-up view of a front locking latch in thefiber optic module of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 16B is a perspective close-up view of a rear lock in the fiberoptic module of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective close-up view of the rear-installablefiber optic modules installed in module guides;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the locking features to lock fiberoptic modules to fiber optic equipment tray and the fiber opticequipment trays to the chassis of the fiber optic equipment of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment of FIG.10 with rear-installable fiber optic modules disposed in the moduleguides;

FIG. 20 is a side cross-sectional view of the fiber optic equipment ofFIG. 10 with rear-installable fiber optic modules disposed in the moduleguides and interlocked with the fiber optic equipment trays, with onefiber optic equipment tray extended forward;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment of FIG.20 ;

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of another exemplary fiber opticequipment supporting rear-installable fiber optic modules;

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipmentsupporting the rear-installable fiber optic modules of FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 24A is a front view of a module guide supporting rear-installablefiber optic modules in the fiber optic equipment of FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 24B is a perspective view of the module guide illustrated in FIG.24A;

FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic modules disposedin the module guides provided in the fiber optic equipment of FIG. 22 ;

FIGS. 26A and 26B are a front view of the fiber optic equipment of FIG.22 with fiber optic modules installed in all module guides and a lockingfeature to prevent the fiber optic modules from being pulled forwardbeyond a front end of the fiber optic equipment;

FIG. 27 is a top view of a fiber optic module supported by module guidesdisposed in the fiber optic equipment of FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of another exemplary fiber opticequipment supporting rear-installable fiber optic modules;

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipmentsupporting the rear-installable fiber optic modules of FIG. 28 ;

FIG. 30 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic modules providedin the fiber optic equipment of FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 31 is another rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipmentsupporting the rear-installable fiber optic modules of FIG. 28 ;

FIG. 32 is another front perspective view of the fiber optic equipmentsupporting the rear-installable fiber optic modules of FIG. 28 with afiber routing tray extended and tilted downward to provide access tocertain fiber optic modules;

FIG. 33 is another front perspective view of the fiber optic equipmentsupporting the rear-installable fiber optic modules of FIG. 28 with thefiber routing tray extended and tilted downward;

FIG. 34 is a front perspective view of another exemplary fiber opticequipment supporting rear-installable fiber optic modules; and

FIG. 35 is another front perspective view of another exemplary fiberoptic equipment supporting rear-installable fiber optic modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention areshown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like referencenumbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include fiber opticequipment and apparatuses that support independently translatable fiberoptic modules and/or fiber optic equipment trays containing one or morefiber optic modules. In some embodiments, one or more fiber opticmodules are disposed in a plurality of independently translatable fiberoptic equipment trays. The fiber optic equipment trays are received in atray guide system disposed in the fiber optic equipment. In this manner,each fiber optic equipment tray is independently translatable within theguide system. The one or more fiber optic modules disposed in each fiberoptic equipment tray translate with their respective fiber opticequipment tray when translated.

One or more module guides may also be disposed in each of the fiberoptic equipment trays. The fiber optic modules can be disposed in one ormore module guides. The fiber optic modules translate within the moduleguides. In this manner, each fiber optic module disposed in a givenfiber optic equipment tray may translate independently of other fiberoptic modules in the same fiber optic equipment tray as well as eachfiber optic equipment tray being independently translatable to otherfiber optic equipment trays within the tray guide system.

In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary fiber optic equipment 10.The fiber optic equipment 10 may be provided at a data distributioncenter or central office to support cable-to-cable fiber opticconnections and to manage a plurality of fiber optic cable connections.As will be described in greater detail below, the fiber optic equipment10 has one or more fiber optic equipment trays that each support one ormore rear-installable fiber optic modules. The fiber optic modules canbe fiber optic adapter modules or any other type of fiber optic modulesor fiber optic apparatuses, including those that support fiber opticconnections. Both the fiber optic modules and the fiber optic equipmenttrays are rear-installable, meaning they can be installed from a rearsection of the fiber optic equipment 10. Further, both the fiber opticequipment trays and the fiber optic modules supported therein areindependently translatable about the chassis for installation, access,and/or removal.

In this regard and as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the fiber optic equipment10 includes a fiber optic equipment chassis 12 (“chassis 12”). Thechassis 12 is shown as being installed in a fiber optic equipment rack14. The fiber optic equipment rack 14 contains two vertical rails 16A,16B that extend vertically and include a series of apertures 18 forfacilitating attachment of the fiber optic equipment 10 inside the fiberoptic equipment rack 14. The fiber optic equipment 10 is attached andsupported by the fiber optic equipment rack 14 in the form of shelvesthat are stacked on top of each other within the vertical rails 16A,16B. As illustrated, the fiber optic equipment 10 is attached to thevertical rails 16A, 16B. The fiber optic equipment rack 14 may support1U-sized shelves, with “U” equal a standard 1.75 inches in height. Aswill be discussed in greater detail later in this application, the fiberoptic equipment 10 includes a plurality of extendable fiber opticequipment trays 20 that each carries one or more rear-installable fiberoptic modules 22. In this example, the fiber optic equipment 10 providesa density of 144 fibers, although it is not limited to this density.Further, as will also be described in more detail below, each fiberoptic equipment tray 20 is independently translatable and accessible toaccess the fiber optic modules supported therein.

FIG. 2A illustrates a rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipment10 illustrated in FIG. 1 . The fiber optic equipment 10 is provided inthe chassis 12 that defines a front end 24, a rear section 26, a firstend 28, and a second end 30. The first end 28 of the chassis 12 isdisposed on the opposite side of the second end 30 of the chassis 12. Aguide system in the form of a rail guide system 32 is provided tosupport the rear-installable fiber optic modules 22. The rail guidesystem 32 comprises two tray rail guides 32A, 32B attached to thechassis 12 on the first end 28 and the second end 30, respectively. Thetray rail guides 32A, 32B are configured to support one or more fiberoptic equipment trays that support the fiber optic modules 22, whichwill be illustrated in FIG. 3 and described below. The tray rail guides32A, 32B allow each fiber optic equipment tray 20 installed therein tobe translated about the chassis 12. In this example, the chassis 12supports three (3) fiber optic equipment trays 20 with each one stackedon top of each other. A tray cover 34 is disposed on top of the topfiber optic equipment tray 20 disposed in the chassis 12 and within thetray rail guides 32A, 32B. As will be discussed later in thisapplication, each fiber optic equipment tray 20 contains a fiber routingtray 36 attached thereto to support routing of optical fibers connectedto the fiber optic modules 22. The fiber routing tray 36 can be extendedand lowered as desired to obtain access to the fiber optic modules 22from the front end 24 of the fiber optic equipment 10.

FIG. 2B illustrates the tray rail guides 32A, 32B in more detail. Asillustrated therein, the tray rail guides 32A, 32B form a series ofchannels 38A-38C, wherein each channel 38A-38C is configured to receivea fiber optic equipment tray 20. The tray rail guides 32A, 32B allow aplurality of fiber optic trays 20 arranged in a column format. The trayrail guides 32A, 32B comprise an end portion 40 by which the channels38A-38C stop and the fiber optic equipment trays 20 cannot extendbeyond. This end portion 40 is disposed in an orientation such that itis adjacent the rear section 26 of the fiber optic equipment 10. Thetray rail guides 32A, 32B also contain an entry portion 42 through whichthe fiber optic equipment trays 20 can be inserted into the channels38A-38C. Note that the entry portion 42 does not close off the channels38A-38C such that the fiber optic equipment trays 20 can be extendedbeyond the entry portion 42 back towards the rear section 26 of thechassis 12. In this manner, the tray rail guides 32A, 32B support rearinstallation of fiber optic equipment trays 20 into the chassis 12 fromthe rear section 26.

FIG. 3 illustrates an individual fiber optic equipment tray 20 notdisposed in the chassis 12 or contained within the tray rail guides 32A,32B for further discussion and illustration. As illustrated therein, thefiber optic equipment tray 20 contains a main tray portion 44 and thefiber routing tray 36 attached thereto. The fiber routing tray 36 isattached to the main tray portion 44 via hinge mechanisms in the form ofhinges 46A, 46B disposed on each end 48A, 48B of the main tray portion44. The main tray portion 44 contains a plurality of module guides inthe form of module rail guides 50 that support the fiber optic modules22. More specifically, the fiber optic modules 22 contain rails(elements 52A, 52B in FIG. 4 ) that couple to tray channels 54 disposedwithin the module rail guides 50. The fiber optic modules 22 aredisposed in a row arrangement if at least one intermediate module railguide 50 is disposed in the fiber optic equipment tray 20. Providing aplurality of tray channels 54 in each module rail guide 50 allows aplurality of fiber optic modules 22 to be stacked on top of each otherin a column arrangement. The fiber optic modules 22 can be moved withinthe module rail guides 50 in the fiber optic equipment tray 20 eithertowards the front end 24 of the chassis 12 or the rear section 26 or thechassis 12. The fiber optic equipment trays 20 can also be moved aboutthe tray rail guides 32A, 32B. In this manner, the fiber optic equipmenttrays 20 can be translated independently of each other about the trayrail guides 32A, 32B, and each of the fiber optic modules 22 within agiven fiber optic equipment tray 20 can be independently translatedwithin their respective module rail guides 50.

Note that in FIG. 3 , the fiber optic equipment tray 20 contains five(5) module rail guides 50, which means that the fiber optic equipmenttray 20 can support four (4) individual fiber optic modules 22. Four (4)fiber optic modules 22 can be installed in the fiber optic equipmenttray 20 of FIG. 3 , or less than four as desired or as requiredaccording to installation requirements. Also as shown in FIG. 3 and asillustrated in more detail in FIG. 4 , the module rail guides 50 areconfigured such that the tray channels 54 are open on a rear end 56 ofthe module rail guides 50. This allows the fiber optic modules 22 to berear-installable into the fiber optic equipment trays 20 from the rearsection 26 of the chassis 12. More specifically, the fiber opticequipment tray 20 is disposed in the chassis 12 such that the rear ends56 of the module rail guides 50 are oriented towards the rear section 26of the chassis 12. Thus, as will be discussed in more detail below, thefiber optic modules 22 can be inserted into the rear ends 56 of themodule rail guides 50 and pushed forward within the module rail guides50 until the fiber optic modules 22 reach a front end 58 of each modulerail guide 50. A locking feature not illustrated in FIG. 3 , butdescribed later below in this application, can be provided to preventthe fiber optic module 22 from extending beyond the front end 58 of themodule rail guides 50 unless a release is engaged. In this manner, thefiber optic modules 22 can be installed from the rear of the chassis 12,but can also be extended and removed from the front end 24 of thechassis 12 as well.

Also as illustrated in FIG. 3 , the fiber routing tray 36 is formed fromsheet metal or other material that is bent on top of itself in a U-shapeon a front end 60 of the fiber routing tray 36. In this manner, opticfibers extending from the fiber optic modules 22 installed in the fiberoptic equipment tray 20, and in particular the module rail guides 50disposed therein, can be routed underneath a lip section 23 contained inthe fiber routing tray 36 and disposed to either end 48A, 48B of thefiber optic equipment tray 20 to be routed for connection to other fiberoptic equipment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a fiber optic module 22 that issupported in the fiber optic equipment tray 20 in FIGS. 1-3 . Asillustrated therein, the fiber optic module 22 is comprised of a numberof fiber optic adapters 64 disposed on a front end 66 of the fiber opticmodule 22. In this example, the fiber optic adapters 64 accept duplex LCfiber optic connectors 68. However, any fiber optic connection typedesired can be provided in the fiber optic modules 22. Fiber opticcables (not shown) extend from the fiber optic connectors 68 toestablish fiber optic connections with other equipment. Another fiberoptic adapter 70 is disposed on a rear end 72 of the fiber optic module22. In this example, the fiber optic adapter 70 is an MTP fiber opticadapter equipped to establish connections to up to twelve (12) opticalfibers. The fiber optic module 22 may also manage polarity between thefiber optic connectors 68 and the fiber optic adapters 64 disposed onthe front end 66 of the fiber optic module 22 and the fiber opticadapter 70 disposed on the rear end 72 of the fiber optic module 22.

Module rails 52A, 52B are disposed on each side 74A, 74B of the fiberoptic module 22. The module rails 52A, 52B are configured to be insertedwithin the tray channels 54 of the module rail guides 50 in the fiberoptic equipment tray 20 as illustrated in FIG. 3 . In this manner, whenit is desired to install the fiber optic module 22 in the fiber opticequipment tray 20, the front end 66 of the fiber optic module 22 can beinserted from the rear section 26 of the chassis 12. More specifically,the front end 66 of the fiber optic module 22 is inserted into the traychannels 54 of the module rail guides 50 at their rear ends 56. In thismanner, the fiber optic module 22 is rear-installable in the fiber opticequipment tray 20 and the chassis 12. The fiber optic module 22 can thenbe pushed forward within the tray channels 54 until the fiber opticmodule 22 reaches the front end 58 of the module rail guides 50. In thismanner, a technician can install a fiber optic connection to the fiberoptic adapter 70 disposed on the rear end 72 of the fiber optic module22 and can then install the fiber optic module 22 from the rear section26 of the chassis 12 into the fiber optic equipment tray 20.

In this regard, FIG. 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the fiberoptic modules 22 installed in the fiber optic equipment trays 20 and themodule rail guides 50 disposed therein. As illustrated therein, when thefiber optic module 22 is installed in the tray channels 54 of the modulerail guides 50 from the rear section 26 of the chassis 12, the modulerails 52A, 52B of the fiber optic module 22 move towards the front end24 within the tray channels 54. The fiber optic module 22 can be movedtowards the front end 24 until the fiber optic modules 22 reach a stopor locking feature disposed in the front end 24 as will described laterin this application. A locking feature in the form of a locking latch 78and a protrusion 80 (FIG. 4 ) engage a complementary protrusion disposedin the tray channel 54 such that the fiber optic module 22. The lockinglatch 78 is inwardly biased such that the fiber optic module 22 can beinstalled in the tray rail guides 32, but cannot be pulled back towardsthe rear section 26 of the chassis 12 until the locking latch 78 isdisengaged to prevent the protrusion 80 from engaging with the modulerail guides 50. The locking latch 78 is disengaged by pushing it inwardtowards the fiber optic module 22 to release the protrusion 80 from thetray channel 54.

If it is desired to remove the fiber optic module 22 from the fiberoptic equipment tray 20, the fiber optic module 22 can be removed fromeither the rear section 26 of the chassis 12 or from the front end 24 ofthe chassis 12. To remove the fiber optic module 22 from the rearsection 26 of the chassis 12, a pulling loop 76 disposed in the rear end72 of the fiber optic module 22 can be pulled once the locking latch 78is disengaged inward. The locking latch 78 controls the position of theprotrusion 80 extending outward from the module rail 52A such that whenthe fiber optic module 22 is extended along a certain portion of themodule rail guides 50, the protrusion 80 prevents the fiber optic module22 from moving backwards along the tray channels 54 towards the rearsection 26 of the chassis 12.

FIG. 6 illustrates the fiber optic equipment tray 20 of FIG. 3 ;however, with the rear-installable fiber optic modules 22 installedtherein. The fiber optic modules 22 are installed in the module railguides 50 disposed in the fiber optic equipment tray rails 82A, 82B.These fiber optic equipment tray rails 82A, 82B are configured to bedisposed in the module rail guides 32A, 32B attached to the chassis 12as illustrated in FIG. 2A such that the fiber optic equipment tray 20 istranslatable with respect to the chassis 12.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipmenttray 20 in FIG. 6 in more detail. As illustrated therein, three (3)fiber optic equipment trays 20 are disposed within the tray rail guides32A, 32B of the chassis 12. As illustrated therein, the hinges 46A, 46Bthat hingedly attach the fiber routing tray 36 to the fiber opticequipment trays 20 are provided in the form of position hinges 47. Theposition hinges 47 are configured to engage with the module rail guides50 such that the fiber optic module 22 cannot be extended forward whenthe position hinges 47 are engaged. If it is desired to access the fiberoptic module 22, the pulling tab 25 attached to the fiber routing tray36 can be pulled forward to cause the fiber optic equipment tray 20 toextend forward from the front end 24 of the chassis 12 as illustrated inFIG. 8 . Thereafter, the fiber routing tray 36 can be tilted downward asillustrated in FIG. 9 . When the fiber optic equipment tray 20 and itsfiber routing tray 36 are tilted downward, the position hinges 47 oneach side of the fiber optic equipment tray 20 are disengaged with themodule rail guides 50 for that particular fiber optic equipment tray 20such that the fiber optic modules 22 supported by that fiber opticequipment tray 20 can be removed from the front end 24 of the chassis12. Also, by allowing the fiber routing tray 36 to be tilted downward,unobstructed access can be obtained to the fiber optic module adapter 70and fiber optic connectors 68 for establishing or disconnecting fiberoptic connections.

A plurality of fiber optic modules can also be disposed in a moduleguide system in the fiber optic equipment without need or requirementfor an intermediate fiber optic equipment tray. In this manner, each ofthe fiber optic modules translate independently of other fiber opticmodules disposed within the module guide system. In this regard, FIG. 10illustrates another embodiment of fiber optic equipment 100. Fiber opticequipment 100 includes a module guide system disposed in a chassis 102that supports rear-installable fiber optic modules. As will be describedlater in this application, the fiber optic equipment 100 provides analternative guide system for rear-installable fiber optic modules. InFIG. 10 , fiber optic modules 104 are supported within module railguides 106 disposed in a chassis 102 of the fiber optic equipment 100.This is opposed to the fiber optic equipment 10 in FIGS. 1-9 , whereinfiber optic modules are disposed in intermediate fiber optic equipmenttrays attached to a chassis. In this manner and as illustrated in FIG.10 , the fiber optic equipment 100 allows fiber optic modules 104 to beinserted into module rail guides 106 disposed in the chassis 102 andindependently translated about the module rail guides 106.

Turning to FIG. 10 , a plurality of rear installable fiber optic modules104 are installed in the fiber optic equipment 100. The fiber opticmodules 104 are supported by a plurality of module rail guides 106.Unlike the fiber optic equipment 10 of FIG. 1 , the module rail guides106 are attached directly to the chassis 102. Fiber optic equipmenttrays 108 are still provided to support the forward translation of thefiber optic modules 104 from the fiber optic equipment 100. As will bedescribed later in this application, when the fiber optic modules 104are installed from a rear section 110 of the chassis 102 into the modulerail guides 106. The fiber optic modules 104 can then be moved forwardwithin the module rail guides 106 to a front end 112 of the chassis 102.The fiber optic modules 104 will then engage with a latch (not shown)that will then attach the fiber optic modules 104 to fiber opticequipment trays 108. In this manner, when the fiber optic equipment tray108 is pulled forward from the chassis 102, the fiber optic module 104will also move outward with the fiber optic equipment tray 108 due tothe interlock between the fiber optic modules 104 and the fiber opticequipment tray 108, although is still supported by the module railguides 106. Thus, in the fiber optic equipment 100 in FIG. 10 , thefiber optic equipment trays 108 are independently movable with respectto the chassis 102; however, the fiber optic modules 104 are notindependently movable within the fiber optic equipment tray 108 likeprovided in the fiber optic equipment 10 of FIG. 1 .

The chassis 102 also comprises a first end 114 and a second end 116,wherein the second end 116 is disposed on the opposite side from thefirst end 114. A plurality of module rail guides 106 are disposed withinthe chassis 102 between the first end 114 and the second end 116. Aminimum of two (2) module rail guides 106 are required to support atleast one (1) fiber optic module 104. However, as illustrated in FIG. 10, five (5) module rail guides 106 are provided to support four (4) fiberoptic modules 104 per level. As will be described later in thisapplication in more detail, the module rail guides 106 can contain aplurality of channels 118 to support more than one level or plane offiber optic modules 104. In the example of the fiber optic equipment 100in FIG. 10 , three (3) levels of fiber optic modules 104 are provided;thus, three (3) channels 118 are provided in each module rail guide 106.The fiber optic equipment trays 108 each contain a routing tray 120 thatcan be pulled in order to remove a fiber optic equipment tray 108 fromthe chassis 102.

FIG. 11 illustrates a rear perspective view of the module rail guides106 disposed within the chassis 102 and how the fiber optic module 104is installed from the rear section 110 of the chassis 102. Further, FIG.11 illustrates how the fiber optic equipment trays 108 are alsosupported by the module rail guides 106 and how the fiber optic modules104 attach to the fiber optic equipment trays 108 when pulled forward.As illustrated in FIG. 11 , the module rail guides 106 are providedwherein a fiber optic module 104 can be inserted from the rear section110 into the channels 118. The fiber optic module 104 can then be pushedforward with the module rail guides 106 towards the front end 112 of thechassis 102. The module rail guides 106 also contain a series of trayguides 122 disposed in the plane substantially orthogonal to thechannels 118 to receive fiber optic equipment trays 108, although anyorientation is possible.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the fiber optic equipment tray 108 containsa series of elongated sections 124. The elongated sections 124 areconfigured to be inserted into the tray guides 122 disposed inside themodule rail guides 106 along the longitudinal axis of the channels 118.Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 , when the fiber optic module104 is pulled all the way forward along the module rail guide 106 to afront portion 126 of the fiber optic equipment tray 108, a lockingfeature in the form of a front module latch 128 interlocks with a detentfeature 130 disposed adjacent the front end 112 of the chassis 102. Thedetent feature 130 is secured to the fiber optic equipment tray 108. Inthis manner, the fiber optic module 104 becomes interlocked with thefiber optic equipment tray 108 such that when the fiber optic equipmenttray 108 is translated forward on the first end 114 of the chassis 102,the fiber optic module 104 travels forward with the fiber opticequipment tray 108. The elongated sections 124 and the fiber opticmodules 104 interlocked with the fiber optic equipment tray 108translate together about the tray guides 122 even though the fiber opticmodule 104 is still supported by the module rail guides 106. FIG. 15illustrates the fiber optic module 104 and more detail regarding thefront module latch 128 in particular.

As illustrated in FIG. 15 , the fiber optic module 104 is comprised of aplurality of fiber optic adapters 132 configured to support fiber opticconnectors 134 on a front end 136 of the fiber optic module 104. A fiberoptic adapter 138 is disposed on a rear end 140 of the fiber opticmodule 104. In this example of the fiber optic module 104 of FIG. 15 ,the fiber optic adapters 132 are duplex LC fiber optic adapters, and thefiber optic adapter 138 disposed in the rear end 140 of the fiber opticmodule 104 is an MTP fiber optic adapter, although any fiber connectiontype is possible. Fiber optic connections are established between thefiber optic connectors 134 and an MTP fiber optic connector 142connected to the MTP fiber optic adapter 138. Optical fibersestablishing connections between the fiber optic adapters 132, 138 areprovided inside the fiber optic module 104.

The fiber optic module 104 also contains two (2) module rails 144A, 144Bon a first side 146 and a second side 148, respectively, of the fiberoptic module 104. The module rails 144A, 144B are configured to beinserted into the channels 118 of the module rail guides 106 such thatthe fiber optic module 104 can be translated within the module railguides 106. In this regard, because the channels 118 in the module railguides 106 are open in the rear section 110, as illustrated in FIG. 11 ,the fiber optic modules 104 are rear-installable into the fiber opticequipment 100. The fiber optic module 104 can then be translated forwardwithin the channels 118 until the front module latch 128 reaches thedetent feature 130. The front module latch 128 is biased inward suchthat when it reaches the detent feature 130, the front module latch 128flexes inward and is retained in the detent feature 130. Once the frontmodule latch 128 is retained in the detent feature 130, the fiber opticmodule 104 cannot be pulled back towards the rear section 110 or towardsthe front end 112 independent of the fiber optic equipment tray 108unless the front module latch 128 is released from the detent features130. In this manner, the front module latch 128 releasably retains thefiber optic module 104.

FIG. 16A illustrates the front module latch 128 for the fiber opticmodule 104 in more detail. FIG. 16B illustrates a locking feature in theform of a rear module lock 150 that may be provided in the rear end 140of the fiber optic module 104 to lock the fiber optic module 104 withinthe module rail guides 106. In this manner, the fiber optic module 104cannot be removed towards the rear section 110 of the fiber opticequipment 100 unless the rear module lock 150 is unlocked by pushing arear module lock button 152 to the right as illustrated. When the rearmodule lock button 152 is moved to the right as illustrated, a latch 154is disengaged from the channel 118 of the module rail guide 106 suchthat the fiber optic module 104 can be removed from the rear section110. The fiber optic module 104 may be removed from the rear section 110by pulling on a pulling loop 156 (as shown in FIG. 15 ) attached to therear end 140 of the fiber optic module 104.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the detent feature 130 and how the fiberoptic equipment trays 108 are interlocked into the chassis 102. Asillustrated therein, the fiber optic equipment tray 108 contains anupwardly extending tab 158 that is secured to a bracket 160 wherein thebracket 160 is attached to the chassis 102. The bracket 160 contains aseries of apertures 162 that are adapted to receive flanges 164 fromplungers 166. Each fiber optic equipment tray 108 contains a plunger 166disposed through the upwardly extending tab 158 that is adapted toengage with the aperture 162. When it is desired to lock the fiber opticequipment tray 108 to the chassis 102, the plunger 166 is engaged in theaperture 162. As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 , three (3) apertures162 are provided in the bracket 160 because three (3) fiber opticequipment trays 108 are provided. Each aperture 162 is designed toretain the upwardly extending tab 158 from a particular fiber opticequipment tray 108. FIG. 17 illustrates the bracket 160 disposed on thesecond end 116 of the chassis 102. Although not shown, the bracket 160is also disposed on the first end 114 of the chassis 102 as illustratedin FIG. 10 . When it is desired to release the fiber optic equipmenttray 108 from the chassis 102, such as to pull it forward for access,the plunger 166 is pulled and disengaged from the corresponding aperture162 in the bracket 160. In this manner, each fiber optic equipment tray108 is free to independently translate outwardly towards the front end112 wherein the elongated sections 124 are moved forward about the trayguides 122 within the module rail guides 106.

FIG. 19 illustrates a front perspective view of the fiber opticequipment 100 and the fiber optic modules 104 locked into the fiberoptic equipment trays 108 via the front module latch 128 engaging withthe detent feature 130. As illustrated therein, each of the fiber opticequipment trays 108 are secured to the chassis 102 via their plungers166 being engaged with the bracket 160. In order to disengage the fiberoptic equipment tray 108 from the chassis 102, the plunger 166 is pulledto disengage the plunger 166 from the aperture 162 in the bracket 160.In this manner, the pulling force applied towards the front end 112 willtranslate the fiber optic equipment tray 108 forward. This isillustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 . FIG. 20 is a side cross-sectional viewof the fiber optic equipment 100 shown in perspective view in FIG. 21with a middle fiber optic equipment tray 108 extended. As illustratedtherein, the middle fiber optic equipment tray 108 is extended from thechassis 102. The plunger 166 for the middle fiber optic equipment tray108 is disengaged from the bracket 160 and the aperture 162 therein.

FIG. 22 illustrates yet another example of fiber optic equipment 200that also provides for rear-installable fiber optic modules. Like thefiber optic equipment 100 in FIGS. 10-21 , each fiber optic modulesupported in the fiber optic equipment 200 of FIG. 22 is supported inmodule rails disposed in the chassis. The fiber optic modules are alsoindependently translatable within the module rails.

As illustrated in FIG. 22 , the fiber optic equipment 200 is provided,which includes a chassis 202 configured to hold one or more fiber opticmodules 204. The fiber optic modules 204 are supported on a guide systemin the form of module rail guides 206 that are disposed within andattached to the chassis 202 similar to the fiber optic equipment 100 inFIGS. 10-21 . The module rail guides 206 are attached to the chassis202. Only two module rail guides 206 are required to be provided on afirst end 208 of the chassis 202 and a second end 210 of the chassis 202such that a fiber optic module 204 can be installed in a rear section212 of the chassis 202 and moved along the module rail guides 206 to afront end 214 of the chassis 202.

As will be described in further detail in this application, the modulerail guides 206 contain one or more channels 216 (shown in FIGS. 24A and24B) that are adapted to receive rails (element 215 in FIG. 25 )disposed on each side of the fiber optic modules 204. The channels 216are open in the rear section 212 such that the rails of the fiber opticmodule 204 can be inserted into the module rail guides 206 in the rearsection 212 of the chassis 202 and moved forward within the module railguides 206 until the fiber optic module 204 reaches the front end 214 ofthe chassis 202. This is further illustrated in FIG. 23 . As illustratedtherein, a fiber optic module 204 is shown as being inserted partiallyinto the module rail guides 206. Module rails 215A, 215B are disposed oneach side of the fiber optic module 204 such that the module rails 215A,215B mate with the channels 216 in the module rail guides 206 so thatthe fiber optic module 204 may be slid from the rear section 212 to thefront end 214 of the chassis 202.

FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate more detail regarding the module railguides 206 that are disposed in the fiber optic equipment 200 of FIGS.22 and 23 . As illustrated therein, a module rail guide 206 is disclosedthat is provided between the first end 208 and the second end 210. Forthis type of module rail guide 206, the channels 216 are disposed on afirst side 218 of the module rail guides 206. Channels 220 are alsoprovided on a second side 224 of the module rail guides 206. In thismanner, the module rail guide 206 can support rails of fiber opticmodules 204 on each side. The module rail guide 206 illustrated in FIG.24A would be provided as an intermediate module rail guide if more thanone fiber optic module 204 in a given plane is supported by the fiberoptic equipment 200. In this case, at least one intermediate module railguide 206 is provided with channels 216, 220 disposed on each side 218,224. As illustrated in FIG. 24A, the module rail guide 206 is attachedto the chassis 202 such that when the module rails 215A, 215B of thefiber optic modules 204 are disposed within the channels 216, 220, thefiber optic modules 204 are supported by the chassis 202. Also, as willbe described in greater detail below with regard to FIGS. 26A and 26B,the module rail guides 206 also contain a series of internal apertures219 that support attaching module locks or stops to the chassis 202. Themodule locks or stops prevent the fiber optic modules 204 fromtranslating beyond the front end 214 of the chassis 202.

FIG. 25 illustrates the rear-installable fiber optic module 204 that isadapted to be supported by the module rail guides 206 of the fiber opticequipment 200. As illustrated therein, module rails 215A, 215B aredisposed on sides 226, 228, respectively, of the fiber optic module 204.These module rails 215A, 215B can be inserted into the module railguides 206 to insert the fiber optic module 204 into the fiber opticequipment 200. Because the channels 220 in the module rail guides 206are open in the rear section 212 of the chassis 202, the fiber opticmodules 204 are rear-installable, meaning they can be installed from therear section 212 of the chassis 202. The fiber optic module 204 containsa series of fiber optic adapters 230 disposed on a front end 232 of thefiber optic module 204. One or more fiber optic adapters 230 opticallyconnected to the fiber optic adapters 230 are disposed on a rear end 234of the fiber optic module 204. In this manner, connectorized fiber opticcables (not shown) connected to the fiber optic adapters 230 establish afiber optic connection with fiber optic cables (not shown) installed inthe fiber optic adapters 230 in the rear end 234 of the fiber opticmodule 204.

FIG. 26A illustrates a front view of the fiber optic equipment 200 withfiber optic modules 204 installed in the module rail guides 206 aspreviously described. To prevent the fiber optic modules 204 fromextending beyond the first end 208 of the chassis 202, stop or lockfeatures 236 are disposed between the rows of fiber optic modules 204 onthe intermediate module rail guides 206. FIG. 26B illustrates the stopor lock features 236 in more detail wherein front and rear perspectiveviews are illustrated. The stop or lock features 236 contain a series ofapertures 238 that align with the apertures 219 disposed in the modulerail guides 206 as illustrated previously in FIG. 24B. A fastener (notshown) can be inserted into the apertures 238 to fasten the stop or lockfeatures 236 to the module rail guides 206. The stop features 236contain opposing flared portions 240 on each side of the stop or lockfeature 236 which contain platforms 242 of which the front end 232 ofthe fiber optic modules 204 abut against to prevent the fiber opticmodules 204 from extending forward from the first end 208 of the chassis202.

FIG. 27 illustrates a top view of the fiber optic equipment 200 with thefiber optic module 204 installed therein between two module rail guides206. As illustrated therein, the fiber optic module 204 is extendedforward to the front end 214 of the chassis 202 wherein the front end232 of the fiber optic module 204 abut against the platforms 242 in thestop or lock features 236 to prevent the fiber optic modules 204 frombeing extended beyond the front end 214 of the fiber optic equipment200.

FIG. 28 illustrates yet another embodiment of fiber optic equipment thatis configured to allow and support rear-installable fiber optic modules.As illustrated in FIG. 28 , the fiber optic equipment 300 contains achassis 302 that supports one or more fiber optic modules 304. The fiberoptic modules 304 are supported by a guide system in the form of modulerail guides 306 that are attached to the chassis 302 such that each ofthe fiber optic modules 304 can translate about the module rail guides306. More specifically, the fiber optic modules 304 can berear-installable from a rear section 308 of the chassis 302 into themodule rail guides 306 and extended forward within the module railguides 306 to a front end 310 of the chassis 302.

FIG. 29 illustrates a rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipment300 illustrated in FIG. 28 showing a series of rear-installable fiberoptic modules 304 installed therein. It is noted that the module railguides 306 can be provided that support more than one plane or row offiber optic modules 304. In such a case, a plurality of channels will beprovided in the module rail guides 306 to support more than one row offiber optic modules 304.

FIG. 30 illustrates the fiber optic module 304 illustrated in FIGS. 28and 29 in more detail. As illustrated therein, the fiber optic module304 contains module rails 312A, 312B disposed on each side 314, 316 ofthe fiber optic module 304. The module rails 312A, 312B are adapted tobe received into channels of the module rail guides 306 to support thefiber optic modules 304. Each fiber optic module 304 is independentlymovable about the module rail guides 306. Intermediate fiber opticequipment trays are not provided. The fiber optic module 304 contains aseries of fiber optic adapters 318 disposed on a front end 320 of thefiber optic module 304. A series of fiber optic connectors 322 may beconnected to the fiber optic adapters 318 to establish fiber opticconnections. A fiber optic adapter 324 is disposed in a rear end 326 ofthe fiber optic module 304 such that a fiber optic connector 322connected to the fiber optic adapter 324 will establish an opticalconnection with optical fibers connected to the fiber optic connectors322. The fiber optic module 304 also contains a series of pulling loops328A, 328B disposed on each side of the fiber optic adapter 324 that mayassist in removing the fiber optic module 304 from the rear section 308of the fiber optic equipment 300.

In order to install a fiber optic module 304 from the rear section 308of the fiber optic equipment 300, as illustrated in FIG. 31 , hingedportions 330A, 330B of the rear section 308 of the chassis 302 arepulled outward such that the module rail guides 306 are accessible to atechnician. Thereafter, the fiber optic module 304 and its module rails312A, 312B are inserted into channels in the module rail guides 306 asillustrated in FIG. 31 . The fiber optic module 304 is then pushedforward within the module rail guides 306 until the fiber optic module304 reaches the front end 310 of the chassis 302. Once the fiber opticmodules 304 are installed as desired, the hinged portions 330A, 330B areclosed.

In order to access the fiber optic connectors 322 of the fiber opticmodules 304, a module guide tray 332, which is hingedly attached viahinges to the module rail guides 306, can be pulled forward and tilteddownward as illustrated in FIG. 32 . Each fiber optic module 304 has itsown module guide tray 332 such that each fiber optic module 304 isindividually accessible and independently movable about the module railguides 306. The module guide tray 332 may contain a series of fiberrouting guides 336 that support routing of connectorized fiber opticcables (not shown) connected to the fiber optic adapters 318 of thefiber optic module 304. FIG. 33 illustrates a side perspective viewillustrating more detail regarding the module guide tray 332. The moduleguide tray 332 is pulled forward and hingeably tilted via hinge 334downward to access the fiber optic adapters 318 of the fiber opticmodules 304. The module guide tray 332 may contain a U-shaped flange 338to allow optical fibers to be routed therein to either the left or rightof the tray to the sides 340, 342 of the chassis 302. Further, a handle344 may be provided and attached to the module guide tray 332 to allowfor pulling and pushing for easy translation of the fiber optic module304.

FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate yet another embodiment of fiber opticequipment 400. In this embodiment, a module guide system is provided toallow fiber optic modules 402 to translate independently of each otherabout a chassis 404 outward in the Z-axis direction. As illustratedherein, two (2) fiber optic modules 402 are provided. Each fiber opticmodule 402 contains a series of fiber optic adapters 406 disposed in afront end 408 of the fiber optic module 402. A module rail guide 410 isdisposed in the fiber optic equipment 400 for each fiber optic module402. As illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 35 , two fiber optic modules 402 areprovided that expand the entire width of the chassis 404. Thus, nointermediate module rail guides 410 are necessary or provided in thefiber optic equipment 400. Only two (2) module rail guides 410 aredisposed on a first end 412 and a second end 414 of the chassis 404,although intermediate module rail guides can be provided if the fiberoptic equipment 400 is designed to support multiple fiber optic modulesin a single level or plane. Each fiber optic module 402 comprises amodule rail 416 that is configured to be disposed within a channel 420of the module rail guides 410. In this manner, the fiber optic modules402 may be rear-installable and may be independently movable from eachother along their dedicated module rail 416 so they can be pulled outtowards a front end 422 of the fiber optic equipment 400 and chassis404. This is illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 35 wherein the bottom fiberoptic module 402 is pulled forward along its module rail 416 to provideaccess. After any access desired is completed, the bottom fiber opticmodule 402 can be pushed back in along its module rail 216 into thechassis 404 such that the front end 422 of the fiber optic module 402will be disposed within the front end 408 of the chassis 404.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. These modificationsinclude, but are not limited to, number or type of fiber optic modules,use of a fiber optic equipment tray, fiber optic connection type, numberof fiber optic adapters, density, etc.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. It is intended that the present invention cover themodifications and variations of this invention provided they come withinthe scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Althoughspecific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic anddescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic apparatus, comprising: a chassisconfigured to be disposed in an equipment rack, the chassis comprisingopposite front and rear chassis ends that are spaced apart from oneanother in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of module guidesdisposed in the chassis, wherein the plurality of module guides arearranged in a stacked configuration defining a plurality of tiers; and aplurality of fiber optic modules configured to move and be guidedbetween a different pair of laterally spaced module guides of theplurality of module guides, wherein each fiber optic module of theplurality of fiber optic modules is slideably mounted onto the chassisand configured to be independently movable in the longitudinal directionrelative to the chassis, and wherein each tier of the plurality of tiersis configured to receive multiple fiber optic modules of the pluralityof fiber optic modules; and wherein each fiber optic module of theplurality of fiber optic modules comprises a front end, a rear end,opposing sides, an enclosed interior disposed intermediate to the frontend and the rear end and intermediate to the opposing sides, and aplurality of first fiber optic adapters disposed through the front end,wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modulesfurther comprises: at least one second fiber optic adapter disposedthrough the rear end of the fiber optic module; and optical fibersestablishing connections between the plurality of first fiber opticadapters and the at least one second fiber optic adapter.
 2. The fiberoptic apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one module guide of theplurality of module guides comprises a stop feature arranged to limitforward translation in the longitudinal direction of a fiber opticmodule of the plurality of fiber optic modules.
 3. The fiber opticapparatus of claim 2, wherein the chassis comprises a rear section, anda rear portion of each module guide of the plurality of module guidesdefines at least one guide channel that is open on a rear end thereof topermit the plurality of fiber optic modules to be inserted into theplurality of module guides from the rear section of the chassis and tobe guided toward the front chassis end.
 4. The fiber optic apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber opticmodules comprises at least one laterally extending protrusion configuredto cooperate with the at least one module guide of the plurality ofmodule guides.
 5. The fiber optic apparatus of claim 1, wherein at leastone fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules comprisesa front module latch configured to interlock with a detent feature. 6.The fiber optic apparatus of claim 5, wherein the front module latchextends forward beyond the front end of the at least one fiber opticmodule.
 7. The fiber optic apparatus of claim 5, wherein the frontmodule latch is configured to be pulled inward toward a medial portionof the at least one fiber optic module to permit disengagement of thefront module latch from the detent feature.
 8. The fiber optic apparatusof claim 1, wherein: the plurality of module guides and the plurality offiber optic modules are configured to permit each fiber optic module ofthe plurality of fiber optic modules to be installed in the chassis fromthe rear chassis end and from the front chassis end; and each fiberoptic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules comprises at leastone second fiber optic adapter disposed through the rear end of thefiber optic module.
 9. The fiber optic apparatus of claim 1, wherein theplurality of first fiber optic adapters are configured to accept duplexLC fiber optic connectors.
 10. The fiber optic apparatus of claim 9,wherein for each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber opticmodules, the plurality of first fiber optic adapters is configured toreceive six duplex LC fiber optic connectors.
 11. The fiber opticapparatus of claim 9, wherein: the chassis comprises a shelf for thefiber optic equipment rack, the shelf having a height of 1.75 inches;and the plurality of first fiber optic adapters is configured to support144 optical connections.
 12. A fiber optic apparatus, comprising: achassis configured to be disposed in an equipment rack, the chassiscomprising opposite front and rear chassis ends that are spaced apartfrom one another in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of moduleguides disposed in the chassis; and a plurality of fiber optic modulesconfigured to move and be guided between a different pair of laterallyspaced module guides of the plurality of module guides, each fiber opticmodule being slideably mounted onto the chassis, wherein each fiberoptic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules is configured to beindependently movable in the longitudinal direction relative to thechassis; wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber opticmodules comprises a front end, a rear end, opposing sides, an enclosedinterior disposed intermediate to the front end and the rear end andintermediate to the opposing sides, a plurality of first fiber opticadapters disposed through the front end, at least one second fiber opticadapter disposed through the rear end, and optical fibers establishingconnections between the plurality of first fiber optic adapters and theat least one second fiber optic adapter; wherein the plurality of moduleguides are configured to support the plurality of fiber optic modules indifferent levels defining a plurality of tiers, with each tier of thedifferent tiers supporting multiple fiber optic modules of the pluralityof fiber optic modules; and wherein the chassis comprises a shelf forthe fiber optic equipment rack, the shelf having a height of 1.75inches.
 13. The fiber optic apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pluralityof module guides and the plurality of fiber optic modules are configuredto permit each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber opticmodules to be installed in the chassis from the rear chassis end andfrom the front chassis end.
 14. The fiber optic apparatus of claim 12,wherein each tier of the plurality of tiers is configured to receivefour fiber optic modules of the plurality of fiber optic modules. 15.The fiber optic apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of firstfiber optic adapters are configured to accept duplex LC fiber opticconnectors.
 16. The fiber optic apparatus of claim 15, wherein theplurality of first fiber optic adapters is configured to support 144optical connections.
 17. The fiber optic apparatus of claim 12, whereinat least one module guide of the plurality of module guides comprises astop feature arranged to limit forward translation in the longitudinaldirection of a fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber opticmodules.
 18. The fiber optic apparatus of claim 17, wherein the chassiscomprises a rear section, and a rear portion of each module guide of theplurality of module guides defines at least one guide channel that isopen on a rear end thereof to permit the plurality of fiber opticmodules to be inserted into the plurality of module guides from the rearsection of the chassis and to be guided toward the front chassis end.19. The fiber optic apparatus of claim 12, wherein each fiber opticmodule of the plurality of fiber optic modules comprises at least onelaterally extending protrusion configured to cooperate with the at leastone module guide of the plurality of module guides.
 20. The fiber opticapparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one fiber optic module of theplurality of fiber optic modules comprises a front module latchconfigured to interlock with a detent feature.